The 2011 State-by-State Progress Reports and Consumer Guides are sponsored by jcpenney. Scores for the Progress Reports were devised using a range of factors falling under three major categories: Growth in Afterschool Participation, Developments in State Afterschool Policy and Funding and Advance-ments in State Afterschool Leadership.Read more.

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Afterschool in Tennessee

Tennessee trails the rest of the nation in afterschool program participation, with just 13 percent of its K-12 youth in an afterschool program. Additionally, 29 percent of Tennessee's children are responsible for taking care of themselves after the school day ends. With no state afterschool network, the state lacks organized leadership on this issue. Fortunately, state funding is available through state lottery funds, but a focus on quality and availability by policy makers across the state could greatly benefit children and youth during the after school hours.

Percentage of Parents Extremely/Somewhat Satisfied with Afterschool Program

92%

90%

Percentage of Kids Who Would Participate if an Afterschool Program were Available

26%

36%

Percentage of Kids in Summer Learning Programs

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19%

Based on the FY2011 funding level and an average per student cost of $1000, 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) can serve 21,081 students in Tennessee. However, that is only a small fraction of the 435,370 kids in Tennessee who are eligible to participate in a 21st CCLC program, if more funding were available.

"A student only spends about 20 percent of their time in the classroom. We need to make sure there are consistent afterschool programs available, specifically for our middle school students in our most high-need schools."

- Mayor Karl Dean, City of Nashville

Advancements in Afterschool Leadership

To see more partners leading the fight for afterschool in Tennessee check out Afterschool for All.

Governor Proclamation Supporting Lights On Afterschool in 2010

Statewide Afterschool Network

Governor's/State Agency Taskforce

A Member of the U.S. House of Representatives in the House Afterschool Caucus

A Member of the U.S. Senate in the Senate Afterschool Caucus

Afterschool Champions

Ronnie Steine, State Councilmember-At-Large, Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County

Mayor Karl Dean, City of Nashville

Mayor Ron Littlefield, City of Chattanooga

Afterschool Caucus Member(s):

Rep. Jim Cooper

Consumer Guide: Tennessee

For many adults in America, thinking about the hours after the school day ends conjures up memories of doing homework, playing pick-up basketball, taking guitar or dance lessons or going home to Mom and a snack. But for millions of children today, those images are nothing like their reality. In fact, each day in America, more than 15 million children—some as young as 5 years old—are without supervision at home or on the streets.

The Afterschool Alliance has a host of resources that can help ensure that your child can enjoy the safe environment and proven academic and social gains that afterschool programs can afford.

For the ambitious parent or community member, the Afterschool Alliance offers a guide on How to Start an Afterschool Program including links to various best practices, funding resources and child care guidelines.

Tennessee has a host of resources to support families, program staff and employers in their pursuit of quality afterschool programs that are both available and affordable:

Donate: The store's pennies from heaven campaign allows jcpenney shoppers to roundup their purchases to the nearest whole dollar, donating the difference to support afterschool efforts. In 2010, $133,467 was donated through jcpenney’s pennies from heaven campaign in Tennessee.

Join the Afterschool Alliance's Lights On Afterschool celebration. More than 51 programs in Tennessee participated in Lights On Afterschool in 2011. Check out Lights On Afterschool to find out how to become involved and see which programs are participating in your area.